Consultation date on Brecon Cradoc primary school mergers to be confirmed this week

A CONSULTATION into merging primary schools in Brecon and nearby Cradoc is to begin soon.

At the end of January, Powys County Council’s (PCC) Independent/Conservative cabinet went ahead with the decision to hold a consultation on proposals for a new 360-place English-medium primary school in Brecon.

This would replace Mount Street Infants School, Mount Street Juniors School and Cradoc Community Primary School.

A Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and a community swimming pool would also be part of the scheme which could be built on the site of the old Brecon High School.

Using the questions at any time process, Cllr Liz Rijnenberg  (Brecon St Mary, Labour), who represents the Mount Street area has asked for details of when the consultation is due to start, and whether the current lockdown will affect it.

Education portfolio holder, Cllr Phyl Davies (Blaen Hafren – Conservative), said: “The consultation process for the Mount Street Infants, Mount Street Juniors and Cradoc CP School will start after the half term holiday.”

He explained that the exact date will be confirmed this week.

Cllr Davies, added: “We will be following the Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code which sets out clearly the requirements for formal consultation, and we will ensure that this is publicised widely in the media and on social media so that the widest possible engagement can take place.

“Once the consultation period is completed, officers will analyse all responses received including alternative options.

“These will be presented to cabinet in a consultation report in accordance with the requirements of the code.”

Cllr Davies added that the Learning and Skills scrutiny committee will get a chance to discuss the consultation report and giving their views on it before the report goes to cabinet for a decision.

A petition which was set up to Save Cradoc Primary School on Change.org  has been signed by 784 people.